Board Members

Board of Education Members:

Louise Dechovitz(Vice President)
I have been a resident of Wilmette since 2010. I grew up in the area and am a graduate of New Trier. I then attended Lawrence University and have a BA in Slavic Linguistics and Literature. Following graduation, I spent the next 9 years living and working abroad, in Russia, France and England. I pursued a career in Expatriate Tax and worked for Deloitte Tax LLP in Paris, London and Chicago. I have two children in the Avoca School District. I have volunteered in many capacities in District 37 including PTC Director of Volunteers, PTC committee chairperson for spirit wear, member of numerous PTC committees and co-founder of the Avoca Different Learners group which serves as a forum for parents of children with special needs and other learning differences to connect with each other. I strongly believe that you cannot educate a child’s mind without also educating the heart.
Term: 2015-2019
E-mail: dechovitzl@avoca37.org

Dan E. Garbis (Member)
My family and I have lived in the Avoca District for the past fourteen years. With four children in the school district ranging from second to ninth grade, I have experienced the entire span of District 37. I received my bachelors from DePaul in accounting and passed the CPA exam. I then proceeded to go to DePaul Law School and graduated with highest honors. After graduating law school, I have worked as an accountant for a then big-six accounting firm, before moving on to corporate restructuring law at a top international law firm. I am currently a co-owner of the Garbis Law Firm and specialize in civil and criminal litigation. I also volunteer in the community. I am an usher at mychurch, and often coach various church and park district sports teams.Term: 2017-2021
E-mail: garbisd@avoca37.org

Joel H. Raynes(Member)
My wife, Marsha, and I are Wilmette residents and the parents of one child, David, who is currently a student at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. My undergraduate degree was earned from Drake University, where I majored in sociology and also worked toward a graduate degree in guidance and counseling. I have coached youth football and baseball teams in Wilmette, am a member of the Ideal Investment Club and the Franklin Park/Schiller Park Chamber of Commerce and am the former President of the Avoca Parents’ and Teachers’ Council. I currently serve as President-Elect of the North Shore Barrington Association of Realtors. I currently work as a residential broker for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Winnetka. I was previously employed as a banker for a number of different companies for thirty one years. With my background in banking, I look forward to being a contributing member of the Board’s Finance Committee and am proud to have a role in maintaining and building upon Avoca’s excellence.Term: 2015-2019E-mail: raynesj@avoca37.org

Sheryl A. Swibel (Member)
My husband, Larry, and I have lived in the Avoca District since 1983, and all three of our children attended school here. I am originally from Boston, and received my B.A. at the University of Rochester in psychology and education and my M.S. in Special Education at Vanderbilt University. I was a special education teacher in Chicago for a number of years and, after leaving the workforce, became active in the Avoca District. When my children attended Avoca schools, I volunteered regularly with the Avoca PTC. Later, I served on the Board of Education for 9 and a half years. While on the Board I chaired the Community Relations, Curriculum, Long Range Planning, and Policy Committees, and participated in the development of strategic plans for the District. In 2012, I was thrilled to be appointed to the Board again, to fill a vacated position. I was officially elected for a 2-year term in 2013 and was then elected for a 4 year term in 2015. The 8 year gap between my prior term and my current term has given me a unique perspective. I continue to value both short-term goals and long-term planning, and I recognize the importance of not only volunteering as a parent of an Avoca student, but also serving our District as a long-time member of our community. I am passionate about the hallmark of an Avoca education: not only a program of the highest quality conducted with fiscal responsibility, but one that encourages innovation to achieve 21st century best practices.

Jamie Taylor (Member)
My husband, Rob, and I have lived in Winnetka with our three children for the past 11 years. I am currently a stay-at-home mom and dedicated volunteer. I have achieved meaningful relationships with administration, teachers and parents due to my nine years of volunteer service to District 37. I also serve as Vice President of the Woodley Road Garden Club and previously served on the Board of the Chicago Dancing Festival and as Treasurer of Northfield Community Nursery School.

I graduated with a degree in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley (1992 – 1995) and then returned to graduate school to earn an MBA from the University of Chicago (2000 – 2002). I started my career at LaSalle Bank where I worked for its loan syndications group. I was responsible for structuring the bank’s largest loans and selling off segments to other financial institutions (1995 – 2001). Later I joined Pekin Singer Strauss Asset Management as an equity analyst and portfolio manager (2001 – 2007).

My priority is to sustain the District’s reputation for academic excellence while safeguarding its financial security. I will work with other Board members and district administration to carry out the Mission, Vision and Values identified within the 2016 Strategic Plan. I believe my educational background and finance skills provide me with the tools to address the District’s aging facilities and navigate expected budgetary shortfalls and financing issues.Term: 2017-2021
E-Mail: taylorj@avoca37.org

Rick Zelinsky(President)
My wife, Faith, and I are Northfield residents for the past eighteen years and are parents of two boys, whom both attended Avoca from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. I am a technology professional by trade and, for the past three decades, have been fascinated by the unprecedented growth in availability, adoption and advancement of technology. I have been on the Avoca District 37 School Board for the past eight years, currently as the Board President and as Board Vice President from 2015-2017. I have had the pleasure to serve the Board as both a parent and, more recently, a general community member. My initial involvement with District 37 began in 2003 as a parent representative for the District Technology Committee. As a cross-functional team, we established the original long-term technology plan for the district, involving one of the most progressive initiatives (1:1 student-to-laptop) in district history. My three priorities for the board are: providing oversight and support of the recently created strategic plan, enhancing communication and “connectedness” with both parent and non-parent communities, and maintaining fiscal discipline including addressing the long-term plan for Avoca Center. It has been an honor to give back to the Avoca community through my Board work, and I look forward to continuing to share my passion for technology and focus on students while ensuring the best use of our taxpayers’ resources.Term: 2017-2021
E-mail: zelinskr@avoca37.org